Russia slams French resolution urging Georgia peace
12 Aug 2008 03:06:20 GMT Source: Reuters
(Adds quotes from draft, timing of vote unclear, details) By Louis Charbonneau UNITED NATIONS, Aug 11 (Reuters) - Russia on Monday dismissed as unacceptable a French draft resolution calling for a ceasefire in Georgia that was due to reach the U.N. Security Council soon, while Tbilisi said it faced a Russian invasion. Speaking to reporters after the council's fifth emergency session on the Georgian conflict in as many days, French Deputy Ambassador Jean-Pierre Lacroix said the resolution was based on a three-point plan French President Nicolas Sarkozy's office revealed in Paris over the weekend. The draft, obtained by Reuters, calls for an "immediate and unconditional cessation of hostilities," supports the "sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Georgia" and backs mediation by the European Union and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). It also calls for the withdrawal of Russian and Georgian forces to their positions prior to Georgia's move on Thursday to reclaim control over its breakaway region South Ossetia. It does not criticize either Russia or Georgia but would have the council say it is "gravely concerned at the escalation of violence in Georgia" and the spread of violence into Georgia, including another breakaway enclave, Abkhazia. During the meeting, U.N. assistant secretary-general for peacekeeping Edmond Mulet confirmed for council members that some Russian troops had left Abkhazia and invaded Georgian territory outside the two breakaway regions. Lacroix said the Georgians had reacted favorably to the resolution and hoped Moscow would also come to support it. Russia, a permanent council member with the power to veto any resolution, said the draft was unacceptable to Moscow. Russian Ambassador Vitaly Churkin told reporters it was deficient in a number of areas. In particular, it contained "no reference to Georgian aggression or Georgian atrocities." "I cannot see us accepting this French draft," he said, adding he hoped it would be revised to accommodate Moscow. It was unclear when the council would vote on the resolution, since the French will now have to negotiate with the Russians on the text. Diplomats said much would depend on the outcome of Sarkozy's talks with Russian leaders in Moscow on Tuesday. WAR CRIMES Russia has accused Georgia of "ethnic cleansing" and "genocide" in South Ossetia, where most people have Russian passports and support Moscow. Georgia has in turn accused Russia of "ethnic cleansing" and says Moscow wants to "exterminate" the Georgian people and oust President Mikheil Saakashvili. Churkin said the Russians were in the process of gathering evidence to support their accusations of genocide. Security Council debates on Georgia have been characterized by Russia and the United States, Georgia's main ally, trading accusations and insults reminiscent of the Cold War years. Georgian envoy Irakli Alasania said he hoped the French resolution would be adopted by the council and accused Russia of trying to "subdue and crush a young democracy." The United States originally wanted to condemn what it says was Russia's unwarranted "military assault" on Georgia, but diplomats said the French and other Europeans wanted to avoid language that was certain to provoke a Russian veto. U.S. Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad said he supported the French draft, even though it fails to condemn Moscow. U.S. President George W. Bush said it was time for Russia to reverse its course in Georgia. (Additional reporting by Patrick Worsnip; Editing by John O'Callaghan)
Demonstrators hold a protest in front of United Nations headquarters in New York, August 11, 2008 as the U.N. Security Council discusses the conflict between Russian and Georgia. U.S. President George ...
